Justin Herbert is undeniably one of the NFL’s most talented quarterbacks, yet five full seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers have yielded just two playoff appearances — and more importantly zero playoff wins. That lack of postseason success continues to shadow both him and the franchise.
Heading into the Chargers’ season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs in São Paulo, ESPN analyst and former NFL veteran Ryan Clark delivered a blistering critique of Herbert’s performance in high-stakes games.
Ryan Clark Commentary On Chargers’ QB Justin Herbert
Is Jim Harbaugh The Real Life Ted Lasso?
Clark, who spent 13 seasons in the league with the Giants, Washington, and Steelers, and won a Super Bowl, didn’t mince words on First Take:
“Justin Herbert, whenever it matters, has been terrible.”
He referenced Herbert’s playoff shortcomings, most notably the Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans last season, where the quarterback threw four interceptions:
“Justin Herbert didn’t win big games in college, as talented as he was. … You lose a 27-0 lead. … You go throw four interceptions against the Texans.”
Clark acknowledged Herbert’s undeniable skill, calling him “the fun friend” — someone you want at a party — but added a stinging caveat:
“If something serious is happening, you don’t bring him over because he’s not responsible, accountable, and you can’t depend on him.”
Despite this critique, Herbert has shown flashes of brilliance in Week One matchups, holding a 3-1 record in season openers since being drafted sixth overall in 2020. Yet none of those games compares to facing the Chiefs, perennial Super Bowl contenders led by Patrick Mahomes, in an international spotlight.
The stakes could not be higher. Los Angeles will rely on Herbert to lead the charge if they hope to make a statement in the AFC West and beyond. The Chargers have beaten their other division rivals in previous openers — including two victories over the Las Vegas Raiders — but Mahomes and Kansas City represent a different caliber of challenge.
Jim Harbaugh’s team, under new offensive coordinator Greg Roman, must set Herbert’s past playoff struggles aside and focus on execution. A strong performance could reset perceptions and provide momentum for a season in which the Chargers are expected to contend for the division title.
Yet Clark’s comments serve as a reminder of the scrutiny Herbert faces. Talent alone may not be enough; the narrative around “big-game” performance continues to define how fans, analysts, and even former players view him.
As the Chargers prepare to take the field in Brazil, all eyes will be on Herbert. Will he rise to the occasion against one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks, or will the playoff narrative that Clark highlighted continue to loom large?
Subscribe to LAFB Network’s Los Angeles Chargers YouTube Channel